Celebrating the Heritage of the Victorian pipe organ

This event is an opportunity to promote our cultural and musical heritage and to showcase the “very sonorous and sweet sound” of the newly located Victorian Pipe Organ in St. Patrick’s Church, Doon. This new location is very suitable because it is in an accessible, visible section of the church and in close proximity to the altar where the parish choir is now positioned.

St. Patrick’s is ideal for such an event because it has all the facilities required for such an event including accessible access, ample parking, toilets and seating.

The event will also facilitate the promotion of our Irish language and music with a performance of the Ó Riada Mass.

It is fitting that the long association that Fr. Hickey established with County Cork is continued, with his invitation of the five Mercy sisters from their Kinsale community, and their subsequent arrival in Doon on the 7th February 1865. A native of County Cork, Ó Riada’s music still endures. His Mass in Irish is still sung in many Irish speaking regions of Ireland. Doon Parish Choir has a strong commitment to the Irish language and is delighted to learn and perform Ceol an Aifrinn. Ó Riada’s Mass is significant for its use of traditional Irish musical elements and its contribution to the revival of Irish culture and language. Guest Accompanist on the evening will be Éamonn Quigley.

Refreshments afterwards.

The Convent of Mercy was in existence in Doon for over 150 years from 1865 to 2016. The convent developed incrementally over the decades, establishing extensive primary and secondary boarding and day schools. Up to 800 students attended the school staffed by 50 Sisters at its peak.

Archival material reveals that the organ was built in 1880 by John White of Bishop St., Dublin. The organ was maintained to a very high standard under an organ tuning contract with Henry Willis & Sons Ltd. Since its initial installation the pipe organ was moved to the new convent extension in 1949. In 1960 an electric blower was added “Previous to that there was a hand blower at the side and it was the duty of the junior novices to blow air into the organ when Sr. M. Stanislaus, Attracta, Mgt. Mary and Peter accompanied the choir. Nothing can replace a pipe organ”.

Sr. Mercy O’ Dea recalls that Sr.Margaret Mary’s was a ‘Golden Era’. “She instilled a love of Music and a love for choral singing in every student she taught. In her day the choirs in Doon won the Pigott Cup. Many of her students of Mary Immaculate College and Trinity College carried their love for music and expertise to primary schools across Ireland. According to Sr. Mercy “Professor Haishman of U.C.C. loved seeing students from Doon coming to the college because their love and training in Choral Music enhanced the College Music Department”.